Toy track and method of configuring the track

ABSTRACT

A toy track including a first track member and a second track member. The first track member has a first end and a second end and the second track member has a first end and a second end. A connector is positioned between the first track member and the second track member. The first and the second track members are each rotatable about a first axis by 360 degrees without uncoupling the first track member from the second track member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical toy train track sets include several track members that must be assembled to form a track layout. When not in use, the track members are easily misplaced because they are individually separable from one another. Another typical toy train track set includes track members that are not removable from one another. Therefore, toy train track sets of this type have only one track layout.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toy track for trains, cars, or other vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a toy track including a plurality of track members that are movable and rotatable relative to one another without being disconnected from one another.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a toy track that includes a first track member having a first end and a second end and a second track member having a first end and a second end. A connector is positioned between the first track member and the second track member. The first and the second track members are each rotatable about a first axis by 360 degrees without uncoupling the first track member from the second track member.

The invention also provides a toy track including a plurality of track members that are each coupleable to at least one adjacent track member. Each of the plurality of track members is rotatable about a first axis by 360 degrees relative to the at least one adjacent track member without being uncoupled from at least one adjacent track member. Also, each of the plurality of track members is movable about a second axis relative to the at least one adjacent track member without being uncoupled from at least one adjacent track member.

The invention further provides a toy track a plurality of track members that are each coupleable to at least one adjacent track member. The plurality of track members is positionable in a first track layout and a second track layout. The plurality of track members is movable between the first track layout and the second track layout by disconnecting one of the plurality of track members from the at least one adjacent track member.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy track according a first embodiment of the invention that is positioned in a first track layout, the toy track including a first track member and a second track member coupled by a connector.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toy track of FIG. 1 positioned in a second track layout.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the toy track of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the toy track of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the first track member, the second track member and the connector of FIG. 1

FIG. 7 is a top view of the toy track of FIG. 1 positioned in the first track layout.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the toy track of FIG. 1 positioned in the second track layout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 illustrates a toy track assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The track assembly 10 includes a plurality of track members 14. Each of the track members 14 includes a body 18 that has a first side 22 and a second side 26 that is opposite the first side 22. Each of the first and the second sides 22, 26 defines a pair of grooves 30 that are oriented parallel to one another. The grooves 30 are spaced apart by a width W1 that corresponds to a width between wheels 32 of a toy vehicle 34. As illustrated in at least FIG. 1, a groove path 38 corresponds to the contour of each respective track member 14. The track members 14 may comprise wood, metal, plastic or other suitable materials. The track members 14 may also comprise a combination of materials, such as a portion of one track member is one material and another portion of the same track member is another material. In other constructions, the track members 14 may comprise a mixture of materials. In yet other constructions, one or more track members 14 may comprise a first material or combination of materials while one or more other track members 14 may comprise a second material or other combination of materials.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, adjacent track members 14 are coupled to one another by a connector 42 positioned therebetween. Each of the connectors 42 defines a first axis A and includes a first connector portion 46 that is coupleable to a second connector portion 50. In some embodiments, the first connector portion 46 and the second connector portion 50 cannot be readily separated. In the illustrated embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 5, the first connector portion 46 includes a projection 54 that has an annular flange 58, and the second connector portion 50 includes a recess 62 that has an annular groove 66. To couple the first connector portion 46 and the second connector portion 50, the projection 54 is received within the recess 62 such that the annular groove 66 receives the flange 58. When coupled, the flange 54 is rotatable within the annular groove 58 such that the first and the second connector portions 46, 50 are rotatable relative to one another about the first axis A by 360 degrees (FIG. 5). In other additional or alternative embodiments, the connector 42 may have other suitable configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and the second connector portions 46, 50 are coupled within recesses 70 in the plurality of track members 14 by fasteners (e.g., rod, post, or the like) 74, which define a second axis B. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the track members 14 are movable (e.g., pivotable) relative to the connectors 42, and therefore adjacent track members 14, about the fasteners 74. The second axis B is spaced apart from and oriented perpendicular with respect to the first axis A.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 illustrate the plurality of track members 14 in one possible track layout 150. For example, a first connector 42 a couples a first end track member 14 a to a first intermediate track member 14 b. The first end track member 14 a includes a first end 78 and a second end 82 opposite the first end 78. The second end 82 supports the first connector portion 46 a of the first connector 42 a, which is received within and rotatable relative to the corresponding second connector portion 50 a that is coupled to a first end 86 of the first intermediate track member 14 b. As such, the first end track member 14 a is rotatable relative to the first intermediate track member 14 b by 360 degrees. The first end track member 14 a is also movable relative to the first intermediate track member 14 b.

Similarly, a second connector 42 b couples the first intermediate track member 14 b to a second intermediate track member 14 c. In particular, a second end 90 of the first intermediate track member 14 b includes the first connector portion 46 b of the second connector 42 b coupled thereto, while a first end 94 of the second intermediate track member 14 c includes the corresponding second connector portion 50 b, which receives and is rotatable relative to the first connector portion 46 b. As such, the first intermediate track member 14 b is rotatable relative to both the first end track member 14 a and the second intermediate track member 14 c by 360 degrees. The first end 86 of the first intermediate track member 14 b is also movable relative to the first end track member 14 a, while the second end 90 of the first intermediate track member 14 b is movable relative to the second intermediate track member 14 c.

A third connector 42 c couples the second intermediate track member 14 c to a third intermediate track member 14 d. In particular, a second end 98 of the second intermediate track member 14 c includes the first connector portion 14 c of the third connector 42 c coupled thereto, while a first end 102 of the third intermediate track member 14 d includes the corresponding second connector portion 50 c of the third connector 42 c, which receives and is rotatable relative to the first connector portion 46 c. As such, the second intermediate track member 14 c is rotatable relative to both the first intermediate track member 14 b and the third intermediate track member 14 d by 360 degrees. The first end 94 of the second intermediate track member 14 c is also movable relative to the first intermediate track member 14 a, while the second end 98 of the second intermediate track member 14 c is movable relative to the third intermediate track member 14 d.

Likewise, a fourth connector 42 d couples the third intermediate track member 14 d to a fourth intermediate track member 14 e. In particular, a second end 106 of the third intermediate track member 14 d includes the first connector portion 46 d of the fourth connector 42 d coupled thereto, while a first end 110 of the fourth intermediate track member 14 e includes the corresponding second connector portion 50 d, which receives and is rotatable relative to the first connector portion 46 d. As such, the third intermediate track member 14 c is rotatable relative to both the second intermediate track member 14 c and the fourth intermediate track member 14 e by 360 degrees. The first end 102 of the third intermediate track member 14 d is also movable relative to the second intermediate track member 14 c, while the second end 106 of the third intermediate track member 14 d is movable relative to the fourth intermediate track member 14 e.

A fifth connector 42 e couples the fourth intermediate track member 14 e to a second end track member 14 f. Therefore, a second end 114 of the fourth intermediate track member 14 e includes the first connector portion 46 e of the fifth connector 42 e coupled thereto. A first end 118 opposite a second end 122 of the second end track member 14 f supports the corresponding second connector portion 50 e of the fifth connector 42 e. The second connector portion 50 e receives and is rotatable relative to the first connector portion 46 e. As such, the fourth intermediate track member 14 e is rotatable relative to both the third intermediate track member 14 d and the second end track member 14 f by 360 degrees. The first end 110 of the fourth intermediate track member 14 e is also movable relative to the third intermediate track member 14 d, while the second end 114 of the fourth intermediate track member 14 e is movable relative to the second end track member 14 f. Also, the second end track member 14 f is rotatable relative to the fourth intermediate track member 14 e by 360 degrees as well and movable relative to the fourth intermediate track member 14 e.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 78 of the first end track member 14 a has a male coupler 126 (e.g., projection) while the second end 122 of the second end track member 14 f has a female coupler 130 (e.g., recess). FIGS. 1 and 7 illustrate that the male coupler 126 is removably and matingly received by the female coupler 130 to secure the first end track member 14 a to the second end track member 14 f. As such, the plurality of track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 e, 14 f can be manipulated to define a first track layout 150 in the shape of a loop.

FIGS. 2 and 8 illustrate that the first end track member 14 a and the second end track member 14 f may be uncoupled (i.e., disconnected) and spaced apart from one another such that the plurality of track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, and 14 f define a second track layout 154. For example, in the second track layout 154 of FIG. 2, the first and the second end track members 14 a, 14 f may couple to first and second end track members 14 a′, 14 f′ of another track assembly 10′ having a plurality of track members 14 a′, 14 b′, 14 c′, 14 d′, 14 e′, 14 f′.

In order to manipulate the track assembly 10 from the first track layout 150 to the second track layout 154, only the first and the second end track members 14 a, 14 f need be separated from one another. Once the first and the second end track members 14 a, 14 f have been uncoupled, each of the plurality of track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f may be independently rotated without uncoupling from the adjacent track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f to achieve any desirable track layout. Similarly, in order to reconfigure the first track layout 150, the plurality of track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f may be appropriately positioned and the first and the second end track members 14 a, 14 f re-coupled. Because both sides of each of the plurality of track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f includes the pairs of grooves 30 that are parallel and positioned at the width W1 relative to one another, the groove pairs 30 on both the first side 22 and the second side 26 of each track member 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f are configured to align with the groove pairs 30 on both the first side 22 and the second side 26 of the adjacent track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f. Therefore, no matter how the plurality of track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f are configured relative to the adjacent track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f, the grooves 30 define a path 160 for the wheels of the vehicle. As discussed above, the track assembly 10 also allows each track member 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f to move or pivot relative to adjacent track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f. Accordingly, the track assembly 10 can be manipulated to adjust to different elevations.

In the illustrated embodiment, the track assembly 10 includes four intermediate track members 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e positioned between the first and the second end track members 14 a, 14 f and therefore, the track includes five connectors 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d, 42 e to maintain the plurality of track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f coupled to one another. In additional or alternative embodiments, more or fewer track members 14 may be positioned between each of the first and the second end track members 14 a, 14 f and therefore, there may be more or fewer connectors 42 as well. Further, the first and the second connector portions 46, 50 are interchangeable and therefore, the attachment to respective track members is merely exemplary. As illustrated, the plurality of track members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f includes bodies 18 having various contours. For example, the first and the second end members 14 a, 14 f are substantially arcuately shaped while the third and the fourth intermediate members 14 c, 14 d are also arcuately shaped but have a greater radius of curvature than that of the first and the second end members 14 a, 14 f. Additionally, the second and the fifth intermediate members 14 b, 14 e are substantially linear or straight. The contours illustrated herein are merely exemplary as the track members may have other suitable contours and they may be positioned differently relative to one another in other configurations.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy track comprising: a first track member including a first end and a second end; a second track member including a first end and a second end; and a connector positioned between the first track member and the second track member; wherein the first and the second track members are each rotatable about a first axis by 360 degrees without uncoupling the first track member from the second track member.
 2. The toy track of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a first connector portion that is coupleable and rotatable relative to a second connector portion.
 3. The toy track of claim 2, wherein the first connector portion is coupled to one of the second end of the first track member or the first end of the second track member and the second connector portion is coupled to the other of the second end end of the first track member or the first end of the second track member.
 4. The toy track of claim 2, wherein one of the first connector portion or the second connector portion includes a projection having a flange and the other of the first connector portion or the second connector portion includes a recess that has an annular groove such that when the first connector portion and the second connector portion are coupled, the flange is rotatable within the annular groove.
 5. The toy track of claim 1, wherein the first track member and the second track member are pivotally coupled to the connector such that each of the first track member and the second track member are movable about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.
 6. The toy track of claim 1, wherein the first track member includes a first side and a second side, each of the first and the second sides including a pair of grooves, and the second track member includes a first side and the second side, each of the first and the second sides including a pair of grooves, and wherein the pairs of grooves on both the first side and the second side of the first track member are configured to align with the pairs of grooves on both the first side and the second sides of the second track member.
 7. A toy track comprising: a plurality of track members, each of the plurality of track members coupleable to at least one adjacent track member; wherein each of the plurality of track members is rotatable about a first axis by 360 degrees relative to the at least one adjacent track member without being uncoupled from at least one adjacent track member; and wherein each of the plurality of track members is movable about a second axis relative to the at least one adjacent track member without being uncoupled from at least one adjacent track member.
 8. The toy track of claim 7, wherein a connector couples each of the plurality of track members to the at least one adjacent track member.
 9. The toy track of claim 8, wherein the connector defines the first axis.
 10. The toy track of claim 8, wherein the connector includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion that is coupleable and rotatable relative to the first connector portion.
 11. The toy track of claim 10, wherein the first connector portion is coupled to an end of each of the plurality of track members and the second connector portion is coupled to an end of the at least one adjacent track member.
 12. The toy track of claim 8, wherein the connector is coupled to each of the plurality of track members by a fastener, the fastener defining the second axis.
 13. The toy track of claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of a track members is coupleable to the at least one adjacent track member on a first end and a second adjacent track member of the plurality of track members on a second end.
 14. The toy track of claim 13, wherein a first connector couples the first end to the at least one adjacent track member and a second connector couples the second end to the second adjacent track member.
 15. The toy track of claim 7, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis.
 16. The toy track of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of track members includes a first side and a second side, each of the first and the second sides including a pair of grooves.
 17. The toy track of claim 16, wherein the pairs of grooves on both the first side and the second side of each of the plurality of track members are configured to align with the pairs of grooves on both of the first side and the second side of the at least one adjacent track member.
 18. A toy track comprising: a plurality of track members, each of the plurality of track members coupleable to at least one adjacent track member; wherein the plurality of track members are positionable in a first track layout and a second track layout; wherein the plurality of track members is movable between the first track layout and the second track layout by disconnecting one of the plurality of track members from the at least one adjacent track member.
 19. The toy track of claim 18, wherein: each of the plurality of track members is rotatable about a first axis by 360 degrees relative to the at least one adjacent track member without being uncoupled from at least one adjacent track member; and each of the plurality of track members is movable about a second axis relative to the at least one adjacent track member without being uncoupled from at least one adjacent track member.
 20. The toy track of claim 18, wherein: each of the plurality of track members includes a first side and a second side, each of the first and the second sides including a pair of grooves, the pairs of grooves on both the first side and the second side of each of the plurality of track members are configured to align with the pairs of grooves on both of the first side and the second side of the at least one adjacent track member. 